The day I went to the capitol the House of Representatives chamber was closed, but the Texas Senate chamber was open. When the Senate is in session visitors can view the proceedings in the third floor.

Here is a great view of the Senate floor. You can see the visitors gallery above the portraits.

This enormous oil painting in the Senate chamber dipicts one of the battles for Texas independence.

One of the Texas seals. I think this one was near the gift shop in the annex on the lower level. There is a 2000 Texas Christmas Ornament with this symbol on it.

Rick Perry won the Governor election again this year. He is rather handsome.